Sebastian
Dachenhausen joined TTO in June 2008, and has focused on supporting the
start-up of 3QMatrix, a Boulder
based biomedical company which recently optioned technology from TTO. He has
worked with the company on their SBIR grant application and helped to assemble
their first business plan; he calls this hands-on experience "fascinating" and
has enjoyed the opportunity to use the skills learned in the CU-Boulder MBA
program, where he will complete his MBA in spring 2009.
Julie
Penner also joined TTO in June, and has split her time between the Boulder and Anschutz
offices. She has worked with CU licensee Endoshape to evaluate market
opportunities and create financial models in preparation for fundraising. She
has also worked on market analysis for CU's Riverware software. Julie is
entering her third year in CU-Boulder's MBA/JD program.
Today at the TTO
Hiberna Corp. Licenses Univ. of Colorado Drug Development Technology Hiberna Corp., a Boulder-based company developing drugs based on natural models of extreme metabolic regulation, has executed an exclusive license agreement with TTO for technology using the python as a model to identify targets and/or potential therapeutics to treat cardiac hypertrophy.
3QMatrix to Commercialize Wound Healing Technology from Univ. of Colorado TTO executed an exclusive option agreement with 3QMatrix, Inc. for degradable thiol-ene hydrogel technology developed in the laboratories of Christopher Bowman, Associate Dean for Research, and Kristi Anseth, Distinguished Professor and HHMI Investigator, both in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder. 3QMatrix is focused on the development and commercialization of novel wound healing and drug delivery products based on the proprietary thiol-ene hydrogel product platform.
TTO Reports Performance Metrics for FY2007-08 In late July, TTO released its performance metrics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Please follow the link above to a short presentation summarizing our performance, and look for our full annual report in September 2008. (See also: a recent interview with TTO leadership on w3w3.com discussing these metrics.)
CU Reaches Record Level of Research Funding CU researchers received nearly $661M in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2008, an upward trend that shatters previous records and reaffirms the institution's position as the leading research university in the Rocky Mountain West and one of the top in the nation. UC Denver (including Anschutz Medical Campus) topped the list with a total of $371.5M, up from $363M last year. CU-Boulder saw the largest increase in sponsored research funding, receiving a record $280.1M, compared to $266M in FY2007. CU-Colorado Springs received $9.2M, up from $7.9M last year.
TTO
Accepting Proposals for Proof of Concept Investment Fall Round
The application deadline for the fall TTO Proof of Concept investment (POCi)
round is Friday, October 10, 2008. The POCi program provides
early-stage "seed" investments of $100,000 to enable the further development
and validation of promising CU technologies that are, or will become, the
platform for a CU start-up company. Information about the POCi program,
selection criteria, application requirements, and the application form are
available online;
for questions about the POCi program, contact Tom
Smerdon, Director of Licensing and New Business Development, 303-735-0621.
TTO Announces
Deadline for Colorado State Bioscience Research Grants The deadline to apply for a Colorado Bioscience Research Grant will be Friday,
October 17, 2008. This statewide program was signed into law in April 2008,
and provides $26.5M over five years to grow Colorado's bioscience industry. University
researchers are eligible for awards of $50,000 to $200,000 for commercial
proof-of-concept work; eligible fields include therapeutics, diagnostics,
medical devices, platform technologies, and biofuels. Applications and more
information are available online - for questions, please contact Rick Silva,
303-724-0222 (UC-Denver) or Kate
Tallman, 303-492-5732 (CU-Boulder and CU-Colorado Springs). Important:
invention disclosures must be submitted to TTO by Monday, September 22
to qualify. TTO will hold information sessions at all three campuses in
early September - see events section below for dates.
TTO
Accepting Proposals for Renewable Energy Proof of Concept Grants The CU TTO now has $400,000 for Proof of Concept grants (POCg)
of up to $50,000 to support the further development and validation of promising
CU-Boulder renewable energy technologies. Proposals are sought in all areas
related to the development of renewable and sustainable energy sources as well
as efficient utilization of energy. The fall application deadline is Friday,
October 24, 2008. Information about the Renewable Energy POCg program, selection
criteria, application requirements, and the application form are available online; for questions, contact Kate Tallman, 303-492-5732.
TTO Hires New Biochem Licensing Associate Paul Tabor joined the TTO as a Licensing Associate in August 2008, and is responsible for evaluating CU invention disclosures, negotiating option and license agreements, and working with inventors and industry professionals to successfully commercialize new technologies impacting human health. Prior to joining the TTO, Paul worked with pharmaceutical and venture capital clients to evaluate the commercial potential of acquisition and in-licensing targets, and also spent several years as a research scientist on the Human Genome Project. Paul earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Clinical Gerontology from Baylor University, and a BA in Chemistry and Biology from Baylor University.
ARCA
Banks on Heart Drug ARCA biopharma,
biotech veterans with a track record of success, may be just months away from
marketing the first drug to treat heart failure by genetically identifying
patients for whom the drug would work.
New Technology Aids
Babies with Feeding Problems KC BioMediX soon will begin selling sophisticated medical devices based on
research by Dr. Steve Barlow (University
of Kansas) and
CU-Boulder's Dr.
Don Finan; the company's NTrainer System essentially is a computerized
pacifier that can give doctors or nurses a more accurate assessment of a baby's
feeding ability before beginning therapy.
Taligen
Names New CEO, Establishes Headquarters Taligen
Therapeutics has initiated a corporate growth plan with the appointment of
Abbie Celniker as CEO and the establishment of its headquarters in Cambridge, MA; the
company intends to build its late-stage R&D operations in Cambridge
while continuing its early discovery activities in Denver.
CU Cancer
Center Researchers Identify Key Cell Cycle Regulator Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center led
by Dr. Jessica Tyler have
identified the key marker cells use to know when broken DNA has been repaired
and it is safe for the cell to begin dividing again, a discovery that could
lead to new targets for cancer therapy.
New JILA Technique Reveals Hidden Properties Of Ultracold
Atomic Gases Physicists
at JILA, a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) and CU-Boulder, have demonstrated a powerful new technique
that reveals hidden properties of ultracold atomic gases; this discovery may
eventually have applications in efficient transmission of electricity across
power grids, as well as in atomic clock and quantum computer design.
People
Chasing
the Cure Colorado has risen
to the upper tier of cancer-research states - at least in terms of federal
research funding, but developing new products from those discoveries and
getting them to the market is a process fraught with challenges. Denver
Business Journal article featuring CU faculty Dr. Paul Bunn (CU Cancer Center)
and Richard Duke (GlobeImmune, ApopLogic Pharmaceuticals).
FBBp Seeking Director of
Business Development TTO partner Fitzsimons BioBusiness Partners (FBBp) supports the growth of
promising early stage bioscience businesses at the Fitzsimons Life Science
District, and is seeking a business development director to help identify
promising young companies and connect them to the resources they need to be
successful. Full job description online (PDF).
UC
Denver Assistant Professor Receives 2008 Young Investigator Award
Judith Gault, PhD, psychosis researcher and assistant professor of Neurosurgery
at the UC Denver School of Medicine, was recently named a recipient of the
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) Young
Investigator Award, a $60,000 grant to advance research exploring biomarkers in
blood samples, which may help advance the treatments for disorders such as
schizophrenia.
UCCS
Announces New Appointments The University of Colorado
at Colorado Springs has announced the
appointments of Dr. Michael Larson, currently the El Pomar Chair in
Engineering, as the new Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation,
and Dr. Jenenne Nelson, Professor of Nursing, as the new Dean of the Graduate
School. These appointments fill the positions left open by Dr. Jeremy Haefner,
who moved to Rochester Institute of Technology in July.
Do you know of a recent award, new position or transition of interest to the CU tech community? Please send information to TTOnews@cu.edu.
Join TTO for this free breakfast to
welcome new faculty, and introduce them to the basics of technology transfer at
CU. Open to faculty from all CU campuses - learn about the resources TTO
provides to support research and commercialization initiatives. RSVP to Lindsay
Polak, 303-735-5518.
This UCB symposium will feature top
national climate scientists, energy experts and environmental journalists
discussing the science of climate change and the road toward a viable national
energy strategy. The symposium, which is free and open to the public, includes
sessions on global change prediction, carbon-free energy strategies, the social
dimensions of climate change and ecological impacts of climate change.
Boulder/Denver
New Technology Meetup Group September 2, CU Wolf Law Building, Boulder
This ongoing event provides a forum for technologists and entrepreneurs to showcase
the new (especially web-based) technology developing in Boulder/Denver tech
community. Five companies have five minutes each to demonstrate their new
technology, followed by five minutes for Q&A from the audience.
TTO is hosting information sessions
at all campuses on the Colorado Bioscience Research Grant Program, which became
law in April 2008 and provides grants of up to $200,000 grants to researchers
for commercial proof-of-concept work. Follow link above to session details. RSVP to Lindsay
Polak, 303-735-5518.
September 9, Marriott City
Center, Denver
How - if at all - is investing in early stage companies impacted by the
turbulence in the capital markets, the shaky economy and the upcoming election?
TheRockies Venture Clubhas
gathered some of the best minds in Colorado's
early stage investment space to share their thoughts at the September meeting.
This conference, hosted by the
Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA),
will explore the key technologies and showcase companies that will enable
optoelectronics to play a major role in the green revolution.
CBSA
BioBoulder September
10, Rembrandt Yard, Boulder
Join the Colorado BioScience Association, Hogan & Hartson and VCFO to toast
the end of summer, and the final BioBoulder event of 2008!
An ongoing event to support
eco-entrepreneurs and others people involved and/or interested in green tech:
energy generation, transportation, construction, and efficiency technologies.
Businesses and researchers present new technologies, and attendees may announce
business news, job openings, fundings, etc.
POSSE is a regional event, bringing
in 100 or more business leaders from throughout the Rocky Mountain
region to network, learn from each other, help keep the photonics industry
growing, and celebrate its resiliency.
Join your bioscience colleagues and
friends for a great day of golf while you show your support for the industry
and for the CBSA internship program. Info and registration online.
Ongoing networking event hosted by CU's Silicon Flatirons
Center, providing faculty,
students and community members with technical backgrounds the opportunity to
learn about entrepreneurship through the experiences of a successful local
entrepreneur.
Join TTO and SBIR/STTR guru Russ Farmer of PBC, Inc.to learn more about these federal
grants available to help commercialize your work. Details online, or RSVP toLindsay
Polak, 303-735-5518.
Mentorfests are group mentoring and networking events at which successful
entrepreneurs and business leaders share their knowledge and experience with
next generation entrepreneurs and professionals.
September 25, Davis
Auditorium, University
of Denver
This event allows the general public to obtain an insider's perspective
into what angel investors look for in a deal, what gets them excited about an
opportunity, what they shoot down quickly, and how the angel process is
organized.
TTO New Faculty Breakfast
September 26, Anschutz Medical
Campus, Aurora
Join TTO for this free breakfast to
welcome new faculty, and introduce them to the basic of technology transfer at CU.
Open to faculty from all CU campuses - learn about the resources TTO provides
to support research and commercialization initiatives. RSVP toLindsay
Polak, 303-735-5518.
This conference, sponsored by the Colorado Homeland Defense Alliance (CHDA), will feature presentations of
technical papers and a presentation on "Bridging the Gap Between HS/HD Needs
and Your Emerging Technology". Presentations from various government agencies
will identify technology capabilities they have identified as high priority for
Homeland Security/ Defense, and some ways to pursue business opportunities with
them to mature these emerging technologies. For more information, contact Roger Neeland.
NREL and its partners are now
accepting applications from clean energy companies who would like to present to
an audience of the country's leading clean energy investors at the upcoming 21st
NREL Industry Growth Forum. Application infoonline.
To have your event featured here, please send an email to TTOnews@cu.edu.
CU Resources
Silicon
Flatirons Center for Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship One of the basic goals of the Silicon Flatirons
Center at CU-Boulder is to facilitate
networking, the development of "human capital" and the promotion of
entrepreneurship in the Colorado
technology community, and to inspire student interest in technology law and
entrepreneurship. Through the Center's myriad programs, including support for
the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, a campus-wide business plan competition, the
New Technology Meetup, the Entrepreneurs Unplugged series, and the Crash Course
for Entrepreneurs series, the Center establishes venues to address the
development of skills necessary for building or counseling successful
entrepreneurial ventures, and creates networking opportunities to bridge the
University and local communities.
Through Silicon Flatirons, students from the Law School,
the Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program, Computer Science, Journalism,
the Business School, ATLAS, and other departments
have been matched up with outside professional mentors. The Center continues to
work on developing internship opportunities for students interested in these areas.
Innovation in the News
Putting
Drug Development In Patients' Hands A WSJ article about the recent phenomenon of
patient-supported research - a trend largely driven by people wealthy enough to
help fund drug-discovery projects and who are affected by rare or overlooked
diseases.
VC-Owned
Firms Could Receive SBIR/STTR Awards Under New Deal Small companies
owned by venture capital firms would again be eligible for research and
development funding from federal agencies under a compromise deal reached in
the Senate for the Small Business Innovation Research reauthorization bill,
which the full Senate is expected to approve in September.
Microsoft Must Face University
Patent Infringement Suit Microsoft Corp., the world's biggest software maker, must
face a lawsuit accusing the company of infringing three patents for a process
developed at the University of Rochester to improve images on computer screens,
an appeals court ruled in August, reversing a previous finding that the patents,
now owned by Research Corporation Technologies Inc., couldn't be enforced.
Roundup: University,
Community, State, National and International Initiatives
GSK
and Harvard Team to Develop Stem Cell Therapies U.K.-based pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline plc will
pony up at least $25M over five years to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute for
research collaboration in the field of stem cell science to develop new
medicines.
Turning
Clean-Tech Engineers Into Entrepreneurs If you're an investor with money to burn, environmental
technology has become the biggest game in town; the problem is, there are few
rogue entrepreneurs with the chops to handle the complexities of environmental
technology, much less to invent it.
The
Economics of Biotech Licensing Understanding why licensing works in biotech, and why deals
are structured as they are, will help the entrepreneur negotiate.
Parting Quote
"Out there is an entrepreneur who is forging a bullet with your company's name on
it. You've got one option now -- to shoot first. You've got to out-innovate the
innovators."
-Gary Hamel, management consultant and author.
University of Colorado's Office of Technology Transfer Mission Statement
The mission of the CU Technology Transfer Office is to aggressively pursue, protect, package,
and license to business the intellectual property generated from the research enterprise,
and to serve faculty, staff, and students seeking to create such intellectual property.
